Dispersion of solids from destroyer stacks



Jan. 2, 1951 N. E. IOGLESBY ETAL 2,536,076

DISPERSION OF SOLIDS FROM DESTROYER STACKS Filed April 27, 1931 lVl'c/zolasE Oy/esby and INVENTORS.

F 12/721719 R. l l/eavel" I ATTORNEYJ Patented Jan. 2, 1951 UN I TED S TATES 'TENT OFFICE DISPERSIGN OF SOEIDS FRQM DESTROYER; STACKS retary-of War Application April 27, 1931, Serial N0. 533,208

12 Claims. (Cl. 11415) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April .30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) This invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes,without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.

This invention relatesin general to theiformation of smo'ke screens. and more particularly has reference to a method and apparatus for generati'ng smoke clouds through the utilization of heat in-waste gases- In the past, smoke producing material has ejected in a stream of hot Waste gases, such as those finding exit from the manifolds. of. internal combustion engines of airplanes or motors of tanks or other vehicles, and from the stacks of ships, particularly destroyers. The methods thus far employed for carrying onthergeneration of smoke screens through the agencies .mentioned, however, have proved generally inefiicient.

.Previous tothis time in the dispersion of smoke producing materialsin hot waste gases for finding exit inithe-air to form smoke screens,.a solid material, for example a lachrymator of thecharactor of chloracetophenone or a toxic material such as diphenylaminechlorarsine havebeen dissolveol'ilinza non-inflammable liquid and the solution sprayed into astream of hot waste gases. Byreason: of the use oi an inert solvent,.however, the.desiredlvaporization of the smoke producing materialisexceedingly low, inasmuch as the heat required to vaporizev the solvent so excessively detracts from that requiredto vaporizethe smoke producing materials that methods of this character-are-.manifestly inefficient because of the vast heat losses.

'Weproposain order to overcome .theapparently'insurmountable difficulties that have heretofore beenexperienced in producing smoke screens by-ntilizing hotwaste gases, to melt low melting smoke producing solids and to feed the molten material either by gravity flow or under pressure to a nozzle positioned in a stream of hot waste gases. Thematerial may be atomizedby ordinary mechanical spraying into the stream of gases or a jet of steam caused to impinge on the stream oi -molten smoke producing material so as to. combine the mechanical force and thermal efiect of the steamtoatomize the material and thereby facilitate the heat transfer between the material and the hot gases of the stack to bring about -a more effective vaporization than has heretofore been contemplated. Of course a suitable compressed gas may be substituted for breaking up the molten material if the use of such should be found to be more desirable than steam.

An-object of this invention is to provide a method of generating smoke screens by the introduction of molten smoke producing material to a stream of hot waste gases finding exit-into the air whereit isdesired toproduce a smoke cloud.

Another object ofthis invention is to provide a method of generating smoke screens by the atomization of ,molten smoke. producing material in astream of hot waste gasesfindingiexit in; the air where it isdesired to produce. a smoke cloud.

Still another object. of ,thisinventionis to-provide a method of generatingsmoke screens. by the atomization with steam of: molten .smoke --pr-oducing materials introduced.in a stream-v of hot waste gases finding exitinthe air where:it-,is desired to produce a smokecloud.

A further object of thisinvention-is to provide an apparatus for melt-ing, smoke producingrmaterial and for feeding the molten materialnto .a stream of hot waste gases finding exit inr-the air where it is desired to produce ,a smokescreen.

A still further objectof this invention is to provide an apparatus for melting smoke producing material and for feeding the molten material into a stream ofrhot waste gases and atomizingmolten material for finding exit in the air with waste gases where it is desired to produce a smoke screen.

With these and other objects in view, .wh;ich may be incident to our improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinationto be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the severalnecessaryelements comprising our invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended. claims.

In order to make our invention more clearly understood, we have shown in the accompanying drawings, means for carrying the same into practical effect without limiting the improvements in their useful application to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

There is shown in thedrawings, a single figure of the apparatus forming the subject matter of this invention, from the side partly broken away, connected to thepwall of a stack shownin section and. broken away at the top and bottom through which hot waste gases are adapted to find exit in the air. The stack may, of course, be, as is already understood, an exhaust pipe for hot waste gases on an airplane engine, or tank motor, or a stack from a ship boiler, or any W receive a cap '5. 7

the top of the neck adapted to afford a seat for 3 other source of power which generates hot waste gases in its operation.

Referring more particularly by numerals to the drawings, the apparatus comprises a cylindrical container I provided with a rounded bottom 2, and an open top formed with an outwardly extending flange 3 on the rim. A cover l having an outwardly extending flange 5 around the bottom rim is adapted to be seated on the top of the ocntainer and the flange 3 and 5 formed on the container and the cover respectively, suitably secured together.

The cover d is formed with a central aperture in the top in which is fitted a neck 5 adapted to An annular rim 8 is fitted on the cap l which is provided with a downwardly extending flange 9 designed to be force fitted in the seat formed by the annular flange 8, although it may be otherwise secured, for example, by providing cooperating threads on the flange 9 and inner wall of the rim 8. A handle or other securing member H is connected to the top of the cap I to facilitate the removal of the same.

The container 8 is adapted to be supported in any suitable manner according to the particular type of installation for which it is intended. For the present purposes a plurality of angle irons l2 are secured around the circumference of the container adapted to rest on suitable supports mounted on a convenient base.

A coil 53 is mounted within the container, the top end of the coil extending through the wall of the container adjacent the rim as at M, and the lower end projecting through the rounded bottom of the container adjacent the wall as at [5. The rounded bottom of the container is further provided with a central outlet valve iii and the cover 4 with an inlet line ll adjacent its periphery. I

Smoke producing material such as chloracetophenone or diphenylaminechlorarsine is adapted to be introduced into the container through the neck 6 by removal of the cap l, and

steam is admitted into the coil it through an inlet line it coupled to the top end it through an elbow E9. The steam admitted into the coil i3 is controlled by a valve 2i interposed in the line it. The smoke producing material deposited in the container is adapted to be melted by the circulation of the necessary quantity of steam through the coil l3 controlled by the valve 2! interposed in the inlet line E8. Waste steam together with condensate passing out of the coil through the lower end it i directed through a line 22, connected to the lower end of the coil by an elbow 23. The line 22 is connected by an elbow 2 5- to a trap H. A line 2? is connected in the steam inlet line it between the valve 25 interposed therein and the top side of the coil so that steam is allowed to flow therethrough only when valve 25 is open. A line 23 is connected in the line 27 to by-pass steam therefrom through a heating jacket 29.

The molten material flowing from the bottom of the container through the control valve it is adapted to collect in a distributing manifold 39. The distributing manifold is connected by a plurality of lines 32, 33, and 3%, having valves 36, and El interposed therein to an outlet manifold 38 which is enclosed by the jacket 29 through which steam from the line 98 is circulated as previously stated, through the line 28 in communication with the line 2'! connected to the steam inlet.

If it is desired to cleanse the system after operation of the apparatus in order toprevent the accumulation of material in the passages by solidification and to guard against injury of personnel by exposure to irritant materials in the lines, steam may be introduced therein through the line 25. The line 25, connected to the inlet line l8 below the valve 24 and having a valve 26 interposed therein, is connected to the distributing manifold 3i, an additional valve 53A being interposed therein to further control the flow of steam.

The distributing manifold 3! is surrounded by a coil as indicated at 39, in which steam is circulated from the by pass line H. Steam is fed into this coil to heat the distributing manifold and prevent solidification of the molten material collected therein. The coil surrounding the distributing manifold is adapted to discharge waste steam and condensate into a trap 43 through lines 42A, 42B, and 42C. The trap M is connected at one end to the line 22 communicating with the bottom of the coil in the container, and is provided at its other end with an outlet ila.

Steam fed into the jacket 29 to heat the outlet manifold 38 is similarly adapted to discharge into the trap 4|.

Molten material introduced into the outlet manifold 38 from the container through the valve it and the distributing manifold 3i and selectively through the valves 35, 36, and 31, is adapted to be ejected through a line 43.

For the purpose of forcing the molten material through the system to the line 43, a pressure line id is connected to the inlet IT. A valve 45 is inserted in this line to control the admission of pressure. For the purpose of guarding against an excess of pressure being built up in the container I, a safety valve is also connected to the inlet H by means of the T-fitting 41.

Theline 43 is adaptedto pass through the wall of a smoke stack or conduit 43 carrying hot gases in which the smoke is to be produced. At its end within the conduit 48 the line $3 is provided with a nozzle 59 which is adapted to spray the molten smoke material into the hot gases.

Passing up through the center of the nozzle 49 is second line 5! for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. This line 5! is connected through a, line 52 to the steam line l8, a control valve 53 being inserted therein for control purposes.

The entire operation of this invention will be readily apparent from the above detailed description.

The desired smoke producing material is first introduced into the container through the neck 8, the cap 'i being removed for that purpose. The cap is then put back in place and made secure.

The steam control valve M is then opened, allowing steam to pass through the container coil it, the coil 39 on the distributing manifold 3 I, and the jacket 2Q around the outlet manifold 38. When the steam passing through the coil I3 has melted the smoke producing material within the container, the outlet valve 16 is opened, allowing the molten material to enter the distributing manifold 3|. Since steam has already been allowed to pass through the coil 39 surrounding the manifold 3 i, this manifold will be already heated When the molten material reaches it, thus pre venting any solidification of the molten material.

At this point, one or more of the valves 35, 35, Bl are opened, according to the rate at which it is desired to feed the smoke producing material into the stream of hot gases. The opening of 5, these valves allows the molten smoke material to pass directly into the outlet manifold 38, which has been pre-heated by the steam in the jacket 29. From the outlet manifold 38 the smoke material passes out through the line 43 to the nozzle 49 within the conduit 48.

In order to overcome the friction of the molten smoke material in flowing through the various valves, manifolds, and lines, the valve 45 in the line 3 is opened and pressure is applied through line iii to the surface of the molten material. This pressure may b controlled by the operator so as to causethe smoke material to flow at the rate desired, this control being accomplished by means of the valve as. The safety valve 46 prevents the admission of too high a pressure into the container I.

In order to facilitate the exhaust of the molten smoke material from the nozzle 49 and to completely atomize the same, the valve 53 is opened, thus admitting steam from the pipe It to pass out through the nozzle with the smoke material. This steam serves the double function of causing the molten material to be atomized and forcing it rapidly from the nozzle.

When it is desired to clean the portion of the apparatus below the valve [6, that valve is closed and valves 28 and 53A are opened. The steam from the pipe line is then thoroughly washes out theentire system between the valve 16 and the nozzle 49.

It will be appreciated that we have provided an apparatus for dispersing smoke producing solids in hot waste gases which eliminates the necessity of a solvent for the smoke producer.

It will also be appreciated that we have provided a method of dispersing smoke producing solids in hot waste gases in which the very state of the smoke producers when introduced into the gas stream causes them to be easily evaporated.

Furthermore we have devised a means and manner of introducing smoke producing materials into a stream of hot waste gases which atomizes such materials at the time of their introduction.

While we have used one' particular construction and method for the purpose of explaining our invention, we wish it to be clearly understood that the same is by way of example only and that many modifications may be made both in our apparatus and method without departing from the spirit or scope of our invention. The scope of our invention is to be limited only by the prior art and by the terms of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for generating smoke clouds comprising a container, means within the container to melt normally solid smoke producing material, means to introduce predetermined quantities of molten material into a stream of hot gas of combustion finding exit in the air and means for blowing steam through the apparatus to clear the apparatus of smoke producing material.

2. An apparatus for generating smoke clouds comprising a container, a steam coil for melting smoke producing material positioned within the container, a distributing manifold connected at the bottom of the container by a line having a control valve interposed therein, means to heat the manifold line, and means to feed predetermined quantities of the molten material from the manifold into a stream of hot gas finding exit in the air.

3. An apparatus for generating smoke clouds comprising a container, a steam coil for melting smoke producing material positioned within the container, a distributing manifold connected to the bottom of the container by a line having a control valve interposed therein, an outlet manifold connected to the distributing manifold by a plurality of lines each having a valve therein, means to heat the manifolds, and means-to control each valve to allow passage of predetermined quantities of molten material from the outlet manifold into .a stream of hot gas finding exit in the air.

4. An apparatus for generating smoke clouds comprising a container, a source of steam supply, a steam coil for melting smoke producing material positioned within the container, and connected to the source of steam supply, a distributing manifold connected to the bottom of the container by a line having a control valve therein, the distributing manifold having a plurality of lines connected therewith having valves interposed therein, the manifold being surrounded with steam coils for heating the same, a steam jacketed outlet manifold in communication with the plurality of lines connected with the distributing manifold, means to introduce steam into the coils and jacket surrounding the manifolds from the same source that supplies the coil and the container and means to control the valves to introduce predetermined quantities of the molten material into a stream of hot gas finding exit in the air.

5. An apparatus for generating smoke clouds comprising a container, a steam coil for melting smoke producing material positioned within the container, a distributing manifold connected to the bottom of the container by a line having a valve interposed therein, a plurality of lines connected to said manifold having valves interposed therein, and a steam jacketed outlet manifold communicating with the lines and with the distributing manifold, steam coils surrounding the distributing manifold, common means to supply steam to the coils and jacket, means to jointly convey condensate and waste steam from all of the coils and jackets, and means to introduce predetermined quantities of molten material into a stream of hot gas finding exit in the air b manipulation of the valves.

6. An apparatus for generating smoke clouds from a ship having a smoke stack through which hot combustion gases are discharged comprising a container having means whereby normally solid smoke producing material may be introduced therein, means associated with the container to heat and melt said material, means to conduct and spray said molten material into a stream of hot gas in the smoke stack finding exit in the air, and heating means for said conducting means to maintain said material molten.

'7. An apparatus for generating smoke clouds comprising a container having means whereby normally solid smoke producing material may be introduced therein, means associated with the container to heat and melt said material, a pipe through which a stream of hot gases of combustion is discharged into the air, a spray nozzle positioned in the stream of hot gases, conduits connecting said container and said spray nozzle, and means for heating said conduits to maintain said material molten during its passage from said container to said nozzle.

8. An apparatus for generating smoke clouds comprising a container having means whereby assaove normally solid smoke producing material maybe introduced therein, means associated with said container to heat and melt said material, a pipe through which a stream of hot gases of combustion is discharged into the air, a spray nozzle within said pipe, means for conducting the molten material from said container to said nozzle while heating the same, and means for simultaneously passing steam through said nozzle to atomize said material.

9; An apparatus for generating smoke clouds comprising a container having'means whereby normally solid smoke producing material may be introduced therein, means associated with said container for heating and melting said material, a pipe through which a stream of hot gases of combustion is discharged into the air, a nozzle having its discharge end within said pipe, a conduit connecting said container and nozzle for discharging the molten material into the stream of hot gases, and means for passing stem through said nozzle to thereby atomize the molten material.

10. An apparatus for generating smoke clouds from a ship having a smoke stack for discharging hot combustion gases, comprising a container for receiving normally solid smoke producing material, a steam coil therein for melting the material, an atomizing nozzle within the smoke stack,

piping connecting the container with the nozzle,

means for heating said piping to maintain the smoke material molten, and a steam pip-e connected to said nozzle for discharging steam into the nozzle whereby the smoke material is atomized and blown forcibly into the hot gases of combustion in the stack.

11. An apparatus for generating smoke clouds from a ship having a smoke stack for discharging hot combustion gases comprising a container for receiving normally solid smoke producing material, a steam coil within said container for melting the material, an atomizing nozzle within the stack, piping connecting the container and nozzle, means for heating the material during its passage through said piping to maintain it molten, a steam pipe connected to said nozzle for discharging steam into the nozzle thereby atomizing the molten material and blowing the same forcibly into the hot combustion gases in the stack, a steam connected to said piping,

and a valve controlling flow through said steam pipe whereby steam may be blown through said piping andnozzle to clear the same of solidified smoke material.

12. An apparatus for generating smoke clouds from a ship having a smoke stack for discharging hot combustion gases, comprising a container for melting normally solid smoke producing material, an atomizing nozzle in said smoke stack, valved connections between said container and nozzle, and means to heat said connections to thereby maintain the material in molten state during its passage from the container to the nozzle said atomizing means including an upwardly directed nozzle mounted in said smoke stack and spaced apart from the periphery thereof, said nozzle including a steam inlet, a steam chamber, a tubular inlet means for introducing molten smoke-producing chemical substance into said chamber extending upwardly in said chamber, said chamber having an outlet axially disposed above said last mentioned inlet through which the chemical substances may be hurled upwardly and atomized by steam escaping from said chamber.

NICHOLAS E. OGLESBY. FLEMING R. WEAVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

